I love the scrutiny, passion, analysis and most of all the emotion that we experience during the NHL playoffs. The hockey is awesome even though Albertans had to enjoy it all on TV, and now Canuck fans are feeling like Sami Salo in game five, but this postseason is still the most riveting I’m witnessed in years.

The Canadiens’ run, which irks me because I hate the Habs, has been great and I’ve watched every one of their games. There is something about the underdog that makes sports great. Very few, except the diehard Habs fans, thought the Rouge and Bleu could win a series never mind take the defending champs to game seven, yet they did. And with each win their story becomes more intriguing.

Every game at the Bell Centre has had an electric atmosphere that you could feel through the TV screen. (They sold tickets for $7.50 last night and they sold out the Bell Centre, that’s impressive). I might not like Habs fans, but I have the utmost respect for their fan’s passion and that passion makes the games more exciting to watch. Of course the losers who had to cover up their face and loot the downtown core last night aren’t real fans, and hopefully their actions won’t damper an electric atmosphere.

Every Canadian city that has a team go deep in the playoffs generates the same type of passion we’re witnessing in Montreal. In 2004, the Red Mile unified a city that hadn’t seen the playoffs in seven years. In 2006, every Oiler fan under the age of 30 got to experience their first real playoff run, and it was invigorating.

In 2007, the normally subdued Senators fans came alive while watching their team finally live up to their talent. The past two years in Vancouver the fans have become more vocal and the Green Guys became a unique part of the in-game experience. I applaud the original Green Guys for coming up with a unique idea that gave the building extra life throughout the games. The problem is the copy cats.

Only the original guys should don the Green attire.

Hell it’s not just Canadian cities that are enjoying the playoffs. Chicago has come alive the past few years, and the Western Conference Final between the Hawks and Sharks should be outstanding. Even fans in San Jose are starting to believe their team isn’t a bunch of soft, underachieving players. It’s hard not to follow a Sharks’ series, because you do so waiting for them to stumble. Not necessarily because you want them to, but because of their previous letdowns you just can't help but wait for the other shoe to drop.

And now we are the brink of witnessing something that has only happened twice in the history of the game; a team coming back from a 3-0 series deficit and winning the series. The 1942 Leafs came back to defeat the Wings to win the Cup, and the 1975 Islanders rallied to defeat the Penguins. The Islanders nearly did it again in their next series, rallying from another 3–0 deficit to force a seventh game against the defending Stanley Cup champion Philadelphia Flyers before the Flyers took the decisive seventh game at home and went on to win their second consecutive Stanley Cup.

How can you not watch game seven Friday night from Boston?

ICE WOMEN OF THE WEEK

We’ve said goodbye to the ladies of playoff losers the past few weeks, but today we’ll focus on a winner. The Ice Crew from Chicago, who have helped cheer the Hawks to the 3rd round. You need four wins in a series, and the Hawks have won twice so these four packs are fitting.

And I love action shots that catch guys in our most natural forum; admiring the beauty of women. And it’s even better when another women takes a quick peak as well.

Random thoughts

Former NHL tough guy, Warren Rychel, is co-owner and GM of the Windsor Spitfires and he’s seen Taylor Hall up close for three years. He had an honest answer when I asked him if Taylor Hall needs to keep his head up more.

“I haven’t seen a player over the last three years get hit more than him, harder more than him. He doesn’t get hit a lot because he is shifty and his speed, but sometimes he gets cleaned really hard and it’s amazing he gets up. Nothing seems to bother him.

“He’s taken some big hits right back to the Ryan Wilson hit three years ago, the Pietrangelo hit last series v. Barrie; lots of guys have really cranked him. He’s in great shape and he keeps going. But he’ll have to keep his head up in the NHL where defenceman are a lot more privy to knowing when a guy has his head down than they do in junior.

“That’s something he’ll have to watch out for, but he’s already made an adjustment and when he does get cranked I think he won’t do it again.”

It clearly is a concern, but like Rychel said hopefully if Hall gets his bell rung once, he’ll adapt.

Many are wondering if Crosby will get scrutinized the same way Alex Ovechkin did now that the Pens lost to the Canadiens, but he won’t. Crosby’s team has been to back-to-back Stanley Cup finals, so he doesn’t have the same underachieving title to defend like Ovechkin. The fact is great players rarely lead their team to the Cup finals three years in a row. Gretzky did it once in his career. Mario Lemieux, Steve Yzerman, Joe Sakic, Jaromir Jagr, Mark Messier, Nick Lidstrom never did it once. The Pens loss to the Habs doesn’t look good, but Crosby’s track record proves he can win, and to date Ovechkin hasn’t.

I wonder if Darryl Sutter realizes you need more than one forward to win? Watching Mike Cammalleri lead the league with 12 playoff goals must be killing him and Flames’ fans.

If Canada gets another hockey team I don’t think Winnipeg is at the top of the list. The only reason they are in the conversation is because they have a rink, but the NHL would rather go to Southern Ontario and Quebec City first. Of course Winnipeg deserves a team, but can they sustain one long-term: Doubtful.

If we planned a trip to the draft in LA that included going to the draft Friday night and Saturday morning, two Yankees/Dodgers games and a night out in LA would that interest you? If so, fire me an email, gregor@theteam1260.com.

One of Canada's most versatile sports personalities. Jason hosts The Jason Gregor Show, weekdays from 2 to 6 p.m., on TSN 1260, and he writes a column every Monday in the Edmonton Journal. You can follow him on Twitter at twitter.com/JasonGregor

Hall's habit of getting crunched does worry me. I mean, look at the injuries the Oilers have sustained over the past few seasons, does not help. Hall will have to learn quickly he can't leave himself unprotected in the NHL. I feel this is a factor to take in account when looking at him vs Seguin. Obviously only one of many, but something to keep in mind.

Cool piece of analysis from Warren Rychel. Kudos to Jason for picking that up.

At this point, I'm thinking that the Oilers (if they haven't already made up their minds), will make up their minds based on what they get out of the interviews and the visits to the families' homes and the prospect visits to Edmonton and the other "off-ice" stuff.

I mean, sure, they're going to get one more long look at Hall during the Memorial Cup, but I'm thinking they're down to the short-strokes now. It'll come down to character and attitude.

Travis Moen's goal last night was brutal start to finish. Shorthanded, Gonchar's pylon imitation, and a shot that without question should have been stopped. That goal killed The Penguins chances of a comeback, period. Even while being outshot 39-20, The Habs deserved to win.

I think this playoff craziness has something to do with this being an olympic year. Since the NHL started interrupting the season to go to the olympics, every playoff season that followed has seen a final with a dominant team vs an underdog.

1998 Detroit vs Washington
Detroit was a solid team in a tough western conference, Washington was a 4 seed that got to the finals because the top 3 east teams lost in the first round.

2002 Detroit vs Carolina
Detroit played Colorado in a 1 vs 2 seed in the western final. The top 2 east seeds lost in the first round enabling an underdog team to emerge.

2006 Carolina vs Edmonton
Carolina was 2 seed with 112 points. In the west all first round series went to the underdogs. The Oilers went to the finals as an 8 seed.

2010
The west has the Sharks and Blackhawks in a 1 vs 2 west final. The east has the 6, 7 and 8 seeds remaining.

The part of the trend that has held true so far is the fact that all finals were won by the dominating team. If this continues, the Sharks/Blackhawks winner will hoist Lord Stanley.

Hate to break it to you, but once again Vancouver fans have let you down. Green man is not original, its from a TV show with Danny Devito called "It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia". Seriously a funny show. The one character Charlie is obsessed with his green man suit and tries to bring it out during one of the episodes and everyone tries to stop it. Danny Devito's character wants to do acid but doesn't want to do it alone so he tricks Charlie into doing some. fast forward later on in the episode and you have:
http://www.thegreenmancostume.com/greenman.gif

from wikipedia: Persona assumed by Charlie Kelly wearing a green Lycra suit in several episodes of FX's It's Always Sunny In Philadelphia; people dressed as Green Man are frequently seen at Philadelphia-area sporting events

Two weeks I've been waiting and I'll say this Gregor, based on what you said going into round 2 I do not see why Crosby is better then Ovechkin. Crosby wasn't anywhere near the player Ovechkin was against the Habs. Crosby two-way player I think not.

With that said both are very good players, but I still like Ovechkin better.

Is that LA deal the same one Bryn was talking about on twitter last night?

Hate to break it to you, but once again Vancouver fans have let you down. Green man is not original, its from a TV show with Danny Devito called "It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia". Seriously a funny show. The one character Charlie is obsessed with his green man suit and tries to bring it out during one of the episodes and everyone tries to stop it. Danny Devito's character wants to do acid but doesn't want to do it alone so he tricks Charlie into doing some. fast forward later on in the episode and you have:
http://www.thegreenmancostume.com/greenman.gif

from wikipedia: Persona assumed by Charlie Kelly wearing a green Lycra suit in several episodes of FX's It's Always Sunny In Philadelphia; people dressed as Green Man are frequently seen at Philadelphia-area sporting events

I always thought it was a condition imposed by Sportsnet Pacific so they could easily edit them out of promo material.

As I married into a family of Habs fans I am enjoying the roller coaster ride for them. I enjoyed my time during 06 & it's fitting that MTL is getting their turn now. On top of the fact that the Habs were without their best defenceman in Markov for like 30 games at the start of the year & this past series against the Penguins (if he played last night I apologize - I was shooting a solid 60 in my first golf game of the year- booo).

I can get behind the story of the habs & even hope for them. An original 6 SCF would be a great story, even Boston vs MTL would be fantastic too.

As I married into a family of Habs fans I am enjoying the roller coaster ride for them. I enjoyed my time during 06 & it's fitting that MTL is getting their turn now. On top of the fact that the Habs were without their best defenceman in Markov for like 30 games at the start of the year & this past series against the Penguins (if he played last night I apologize - I was shooting a solid 60 in my first golf game of the year- booo).

I can get behind the story of the habs & even hope for them. An original 6 SCF would be a great story, even Boston vs MTL would be fantastic too.

I have to agree with you on the "green man" idea not being original. Even the creators of the TV show probably stole the idea of the suit from Arrested Development after Tobias Fuhnke was painted blue for like 8 episodes while believing he could be a stand in for the Blueman Group.

Oh, no, no. I’m not in the group yet. No, I’m afraid I just blue myself

I have to agree with you on the "green man" idea not being original. Even the creators of the TV show probably stole the idea of the suit from Arrested Development after Tobias Fuhnke was painted blue for like 8 episodes while believing he could be a stand in for the Blueman Group.

Oh, no, no. I’m not in the group yet. No, I’m afraid I just blue myself

That was because he was trying out for the Blue Man Group.

Ben Stiller did it at the Oscars a few years back so it would look like he was a floating head.

hey gregor great piece as alway's. i just love how the media eat's up the sharks on everything they do wrong. It drives me nuts that if a team get's hot and makes it to the west/east or cup finals once you don't rip them or there stars apart (flames, sens). Yet thornton gets ripped on for everything he doesn't do, and i'm sure that if they don't win this year they're a bust. I heard you say at the begining of playoffs that you wouldn't take thornton on the oilers if sharks were blowing up in the off season,so since there have been so many GREAT upsets this year i guess you wouldn't take all the chokers #8, sid, spezza, marty, loooo and best of all iginla. I'm guessing you might take all of these guy's on the oilers i know i would thornton included. He is one of the best set up/face off guy's in the league as far as i've seen, and believe it or not he does make everyone around him better just ask cheech if you can find him. He hasn't one the big one but i'm still cheering him and the sharks on. Not sure if this makes any sense but i've been sick of the shark/thornton bashing. It's playoff's!!!! just ask the bottom 3 in the east all you got to do is get hot,and to be #1 seed is probablly the worst the underdog usually gels, and play great. Anyways i`ll just keep on listening you have a great take on thing's.(not that you need any more air in your tires) Oh ya tell chaser crosby is over rated.

With the Penguins being house poor from the three centers that were shut down during the second round, what are your thoughts of this scenario?

To Edmonton...Evgeni Malkin and Pittsburghs first pick.

To Pittsburgh....The first pick in this summers draft, Magnus Piarvi Svenson and Sheldon Souray......... Pittsburgh definately needs a winger or two (Hall and MPS)for Crosby and Stall would become their No 2 centerman.

Throw in Hemsky and maybe you have a deal. Pittsburgh need gurantee win now type players if they are moving Malkin. While they would probably want that pick and MPS, i have to think they need to get one or two proven guys with value.

Although Southern Ontario would be the leading candidate for another NHL team, the NHL would want it to be through expansion, not relocation. The expansion fee (which, I have no doubt, would be mind-boggling) would act as a great big "thank you" to the league's owners who have spent the last few years propping up various failing teams.

That being said, there is still the question of whether or not Winnipeg can support a relocated NHL team. Everyone points to David Thomson as proof that the team will be able to sustain itself, but I guarantee that even Thomson won't want to pile millions of dollars into a team unless he thinks there is a pretty good chance that he'll get something back from it. But then again, it's hard to think that it would be worse than the current situation in Phoenix.

I like Ovechkin more, he's more exciting, but is game is not as complete as Crosby, and he to date he hasn't won.

The Capitals just finished first in the league, and lost to a team that made the playoffs in the last two days. I'd say that is an underachieving team. And the Caps haven't won anything, and Ovechkin is their leader.

Look at the match up last year Pens/Caps. In the final two games of the seven game series Crosby had five points, Ovechkin had two. They both had 12 in the series, but later when it counted Crosby produced more.

If you can show anything that proves Ovechkin is clearly more dominant I'd like to see it. Their point totals are similar, but their winning record isn't close. Both are leaders on their team, but won wins more. I'll take the one that wins.

Two weeks I've been waiting and I'll say this Gregor, based on what you said going into round 2 I do not see why Crosby is better then Ovechkin. Crosby wasn't anywhere near the player Ovechkin was against the Habs. Crosby two-way player I think not.

With that said both are very good players, but I still like Ovechkin better.

Is that LA deal the same one Bryn was talking about on twitter last night?

You base greatness on one series...Sorry try again.

Fact is Crosby has produced just as much as Ovechkin in his career, but has won way more. Both are the leaders of their team, and Crosby had done more.

I like Ovechkin better as well. He is more dynamic, but if I'm picking one to win I take Crosby. Until you prove anything that backs up why any team would choose Ovechkin first let me know.

This isn't about which player I like better, since I enjoy watching Ovechkin more. But the game is about winning, and Crosby wins more.

Hate to break it to you, but once again Vancouver fans have let you down. Green man is not original, its from a TV show with Danny Devito called "It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia". Seriously a funny show. The one character Charlie is obsessed with his green man suit and tries to bring it out during one of the episodes and everyone tries to stop it. Danny Devito's character wants to do acid but doesn't want to do it alone so he tricks Charlie into doing some. fast forward later on in the episode and you have:
http://www.thegreenmancostume.com/greenman.gif

from wikipedia: Persona assumed by Charlie Kelly wearing a green Lycra suit in several episodes of FX's It's Always Sunny In Philadelphia; people dressed as Green Man are frequently seen at Philadelphia-area sporting events

My point was the original guys in Vancouver to do it were funny. It's when every other fan in Van tries to copy them.

If they stole from the TV show, fair point, but they were still first in Vancouver to do it.

It would be like some other dork in Edmonton deciding to dance down the aisles to Cotton Eyed Joe. One guy did it first, the rest would be lame.

I don't get why everyone is trying to evaluate Crosby/Ovi based on how they played against just Montreal.

I get that it's a way to try to reduce the other variables, but this was one playoff series against a 16 seeded team. We have 5 years of regular seasons, playoffs, and two Olympics to use. Why only use one series?

I think the only way those guys in the green suits should be allowed to pester the players in the penalty box is if they knew that on occasion the glass partition would come down like a car window. We'd see how brave they were then....

And wins are dependent on a whole lot more than one player--even the best player on the team (which was my point all along).

EDIT: Plus I think I've been pretty clear in saying that both are fabulous players. My beef is using team success to elevate one over the other individually. I'll accept arguments that have a basis in hockey skills and development but that deosn't mean I'll agree with your conclusion because it isn't as clear cut as you suggest it is. To wit:

POINT: Crosby has improved

COUNTERPOINT-How is Ovechkin supposed to improve his faceoffs when he is a winger? Ovechkin didn't need to improve his balance between goals and assists because he was already pretty complete and balanced as an offnesive player.

POINT: Crosby is better defensively

COUNTERPOINT: Don't agree with you there. He can affect the game a bit more defensively by winning draws but he is a centreman. Ovechkin was plus a million this year that suggests his team did better with him on the ice--I don't think he was playing against scrubs either. I think the CORSI is pretty comparable. I don't think he cheats as much as you suggest. Being quick out on the counter-attack once it looks like your team is gaining possession isn't quite "cheating" in my mind.

I went and watched that game lastnight with about 10 die hard frenchies at there outdoor commune, I kid you not, tv set up out in the yard, all these guys jawing away in french. They were intense. Once the Habs were up 4 - 0, a few started talking cup, nearly a fight because sure enough Pittsburg scores 2! It was alot of fun, reminded me of 06, and is the closest I will get to enjoying any other team than the MIGHY OIL win in the playoffs!

I like Ovechkin more, he's more exciting, but is game is not as complete as Crosby, and he to date he hasn't won.

The Capitals just finished first in the league, and lost to a team that made the playoffs in the last two days. I'd say that is an underachieving team. And the Caps haven't won anything, and Ovechkin is their leader.

Look at the match up last year Pens/Caps. In the final two games of the seven game series Crosby had five points, Ovechkin had two. They both had 12 in the series, but later when it counted Crosby produced more.

If you can show anything that proves Ovechkin is clearly more dominant I'd like to see it. Their point totals are similar, but their winning record isn't close. Both are leaders on their team, but won wins more. I'll take the one that wins.

I know it's a terrible thing to question the writers of ON but...It's a little bit funny how you use one criteria for supporting your arguement in one case and not in another...

Given this exact retort to rubbertrout on why Crosby is better, why then would you not want Taylor Hall over Tyler Seguin...

Your first paragraph states;

"Fact is wins are what matters most, and when you are the best player on the team and play lots the onus is on you to win"

So tell me which one is the winner between Hall and Seguin??

Then later in your post you say;

"Look at the match up last year Pens/Caps. In the final two games of the seven game series Crosby had five points, Ovechkin had two. They both had 12 in the series, but later when it counted Crosby produced more"

"If you can show anything that proves Ovechkin is clearly more dominant I'd like to see it. Their point totals are similar, but their winning record isn't close. Both are leaders on their team, but won wins more. I'll take the one that wins"

So using your exact same analogy when comparing Ovechkin and Crosby look at the matchup of Hall vs. Seguin in this years OHL playoffs....when it counted Seguin did nothing and Hall produced. So both are winners on their team but one wins more...wouldn't you say?

Hey I'm just asking because it seems as though you are contradicting yourself...